John Granville Cornwallis Eliot: Death and Funeral
John was the third child and second son of Henry Eliot and Emily Labouchere, known to family and friends as Mousie.
After his serious accident in 1921, Mousie underwent a series of operations and, on the advice of his doctors, travelled to South Africa. Sadly, he developed pneumonia shortly after his arrival and passed away quite suddenly.
The following newspaper-article transcriptions appear in chronological order.
— Taken from memoirs written by Lady Cathleen, Mousie's youngest daughter:
My father died in Johannesburg, about 6 months after my birth, so I never knew him, which has always been a great sadness to me. The cause of his death, to start with, was having a very bad fall in a local Point to Point, with his horse rolling all over him and leaving him with serious internal injuries. To help him recover, the Doctors sent him to Johannesburg, thinking the better climate would be beneficial. However, the nights, I believe, can be cold. My father was mad keen on amateur theatricals. He joined up with some travelling players [sic] and, not taking enough care, caught pneumonia and died.
Several letters of condolence, sent to Countess St. Germans after Mousie's death, are still in the possession of Mousie's grandson, David Herbert, 19th Baron Herbert. These offer some sad but lovely (particularly in the letter from W.W. Kerr) details about Mousie's final hours. These have been transcribed and can be viewed at the links below.
01 Apr 1922: Letter from W.W. Kerr (Rand Club, Johannesburg)
05 Apr 1922: Letter from Major Caryl Annesley (Government House, Cape Town)
12 Jun 1922: Letter and Poem from James Hall of Tideford, St. Germans
— "Pall Mall Gazette" 04 Apr 1922, page 9:
EARL OF ST. GERMANS.
FATAL CHILL DURING MOTOR DRIVE.
The Earl of St. Germans, whose death in South Africa was announced yesterday, died, according to Reuter, in a nursing home in Johannesburg on Friday night.
The Earl arrived at Cape Town from England on March 6, reaching Johannesburg on the 25th. It is believed that he caught a chill while motoring to Pretoria last Tuesday. On the following morning he was admitted to the nursing home, where he was treated for double pneumonia. The illness, however, developed rapidly, and he passed away on Friday night.
— "Western Morning News" 04 Apr 1922, page 4:
TRIBUTE TO HIS COUNTY SERVICES.
Before commencing the business of the Cornwall Standing Joint Committee at Bodmin yesterday the Chairman (Mr. H.D. Foster) referred to the death of the Earl of St. Germans. Most of them, he said, were surprised and grieved to see the news in the paper that morning. The late Earl was a member of that committee. He had shown that he was willing to undertake the duties which should fall to such as he in the county. While his health was good no man paid more attention to the duties devolving upon him than did the late Earl. They must all feel that they had lost a very valuable life, and one who did good in the county. The meeting passed a standing vote with the bereaved relatives.
LATE EARL'S VERSATILITY.
A correspondent of "The Times" says the late Lord St. Germans, who was universally known to his acquaintances as "Mousey," was one of the most popular subalterns in his regiment, the Royal Scots Greys, when they were stationed at York immediately before the war, and when he went out to France with the regiment in August, 1914, his talents as an imitator of Mr. Harry Tate helped to enliven many a cheerless hour in billets and drew large "houses" from the 5th Cavalry Brigade to one of the earliest "smokers" organized by the B.E.F. at Steenwerck, near Bailleul, in November, 1914. He was the regimental machine-gun officer before the creation of the M.G.C.
— "Cornishman" 05 Apr 1922, page 3:
DEATH OF EARL OF ST. GERMANS.
We announce with regret the death of the Earl of St. Germans, which took place at Johannesburg, on Saturday, from pneumonia. The sad and unexpected news was received at St. Germans on Sunday morning, with a message from Prince Arthur of Connaught, Governor-General of the Union of South Africa, with whom he had been staying.
His death is the sequel to the accident which caused him so much suffering a year ago. It will be remembered that he rode Harkaway in the point-to-point steeplechases of the Dartmoor Hunt at Wrangaton. The horse fell at a bank and rolled over on to the rider, who was picked up in a critical condition. It was found that his pelvis was fractured, and so grave was the injury that his life was despaired of. He underwent a serious operation at Penmadown, where he lay for many weeks fighting for his life. By June he had sufficiently recovered to go into a nursing home in London, and he returned to St. Germans a month later much improved in health.
In February this year he made his first public appearance since his mishap, attending Hessenford Fair, where he took a considerable interest in the proceedings and spoke at the luncheon. A week afterwards he sailed for South Africa for a holiday and to recruit his strength. It was his hope to visit the Duke of Westminster's estate in Orange River Colony, and he was on his way when he was taken ill.
The late earl leaves a widow and two daughters, Lady Rosemary Alexandra Eliot, who was born in 1919, and Lady Kathleen Blanche Lily Eliot, who was born last year. As the late earl left no son, the title passes to his cousin, Mr. Granville John Eliot, eldest son of the Col. the Hon. G.C.E. Eliot, who was a son of the third earl. The Countess of St. Germans is at Badminton, staying with her father and mother, the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort.
Born on June 17, 1890, Lord St. Germans was the second son of the 5th Earl, and probably never expected to succeed to his father's title until his elder brother's tragic death in 1909 left him the sole heir. Two years later his father passed away, and he assumed the responsibilities and dignities of the earldom.
Educated privately and at Eton, he passed into Sandhurst, where he received the military education then considered necessary, afterwards being gazetted to the Scots Greys, and he was at York with his regiment when war broke out. Almost immediately he proceeded on active service, taking part in the early operations in Flanders, and later gaining the Military Cross for bravery. On account of severe wounds he was invalided home, however, and after remaining in hospital for a time, was rejected for further foreign service and employed on military duties at Tidworth and other places.
On the cessation of hostilities he was placed in the Reserve of Officers with the rank of captain, and came to live at the family seat of Port Eliot. In 1918 his engagement to Lady Blanche Somerset, the elder daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, was announced, and the wedding took place the same year on his 28th birthday, a daughter, Rosemary Alexandra, being born on February 26, 1919.
The late Earl was a Justice of the Peace, and a County councillor, being a member of both the Standing Joint Committee and the Small Holdings Committee. Owning about 7,000 acres himself, his knowledge in such matters was in advance of his years, and his advice and experience were often sought by those of greater age. He aimed at developing his estate to the best advantage, and, rightly regarding the housing question as a vital factor in this connection, generously provided sites for the Rural Council to build upon.
He was a keen sportsman and a fine cricketer, captaining the St. Germans team and playing regularly, while, as vice-captain of the county eleven, he arranged a county match at Port Eliot in July, 1921. Football also received a stimulus from his encouragement, and he occupied the position of president of the local football club, whilst a handsome challenge shield for the East Cornwall Schools' Football Association was presented to him last year. His knowledge of yachting was less extensive, but early in 1921 he joined the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club, of which his father had been president for many years. He was also an amateur comedian of no mean ability, and frequently entertained the company at private social gatherings. He was vice-president of the East Cornwall Conservative Association (Bodmin division).
— "Western Morning News" 6 Apr 1922, page 4:
THE LATE EARL OF ST. GERMANS.
THE KING'S CONDOLENCE.
The King has sent the following telegram of condolence to the Dowager Countess of St. Germans, at Johannesburg [sic]:–
We are much distressed to hear of the death of your dear son in South Africa. We send you and your daughter-in-law our heartfelt sympathy in your great sorrow.
George R.I.
— Extracts from "Sunday Post" 9 Apr 1922, page 16:
BANK CLERK FALLS HEIR TO EARLDOM
VACANT BY THE PASSING OF POPULAR OFFICER OF THE SCOTS GREYS.
There is a romantic story surrounding the former bank clerk's succession to the Earldom of St. Germans. The news of the sudden death from pneumonia in Johannesburg Hospital of the young Earl — he was only thirty-one — came as a painful shock to his family and an unusually wide circle of friends.
It is only about six weeks since he sailed for South Africa in the hope that the sea voyage would complete his wonderful recovery after a terrible fall in the hunting field last April. His medical advisers were highly optimistic of a permanent restoration of health, and Lord St. Germans, with his never-failing buoyancy of spirits, was talking with the keenest anticipation of an early return to his favourite pursuits only three days before death stalked him with cruel swiftness.
The new Earl of St. Germans is his cousin, Mr. Granville John Eliot. He is fifty-five years of age, and is at present staying in the country for the benefit of his health, being an invalid.
"MOUSIE" ST. GERMANS
The late Earl only succeeded to the title in 1911, and quickly proved one of the most popular members of the Peerage. A fine sportsman and a soldier, he delighted in point-to-point races, and was also a keen cricketer and supporter of football. He served with great distinction during the war, gaining the Military Cross, and, commonly known as "Mousie" St. Germans, was regarded as the most popular officer serving with the famous Scots Greys. He endeared himself to everyone by his constant good humour and absolute disregard of danger.
Brother officers as well as the men who served under him were always loud in their praises of "Mousie" St. Germans. Mentioned several times in despatches, it was openly stated that these official references did not cover a tithe of the gallant deeds for which he was responsible. He was a man of amazing vitality, and after a long spell of hard service in the trenches when most of his men were weary and worn out "Mousie" St. Germans, apparently possessed of an inexhaustible supply of energy, would be the first to suggest a comic song or amateur theatricals. He was a gifted entertainer, one of his favourite character impersonations being that of an old charlady, after the style of Fred Emney. During his war service he did a great deal to entertain his comrades at the front, but he was far more than an amateur comedian, and he sustained a severe face wound which left its mark upon his features when he returned to civil life.
He is survived by the Countess, formerly Lady Blanche Linnie Somerset, elder daughter of the ninth Duke of Beaufort, and two tiny daughters, Lady Rosemary Eliot, born in 1919, and Lady Kathleen, an infant only seven months old.
Her husband's tastes lying in the same direction, the happily-united couple soon became the recognised leaders of that section of exclusive society which prefers a gallop across open moorland to more exotic pursuits in Mayfair drawing-rooms.
During their somewhat infrequent visits to town the Earl and Countess were the life and soul of the younger set. They were often to be seen at the Embassy Club enjoying themselves together, and, indeed, whether riding in the Row or attending social functions, it was obvious that they found their chief delight in each other's company. In consequence the tragic death of the popular young Peer means the separation of an ideally devoted couple.
SEVERELY INJURED
In the early part of last year Lord St. Germans was bitten severely in the hand by a dog, and for some time had to give up his favourite pastime. Directly the wound, which at one time threatened to become a very serious matter, had healed, the Earl took to the saddle again, and in April last was thrown from his horse and badly crushed at a Dartmoor Hunt point-to-point race meeting, this accident being the indirect cause of his death. The horse fell right on top of him, and it was feared at first that he had been killed outright. When it was seen that there was still life in the injured horseman, eminent medical men were sent for from London, but very little hope was entertained for his recovery.
So severe were his injuries that for some weeks he lay at death's door, and it was a long weary time before it could be certain that he was really out of danger. To a man of his active and mercurial temperament, the life of an invalid for nearly a year was very trying, but apparently nothing could quell his love of humour or rob him for long of his infectious gaiety.
Certain it is that these, coupled with the amazing vitality which had stood him in such good stead at the front, alone equalled him to make headway in what was an almost miraculous recovery — a recovery which was so ruthlessly mocked.
Since the death of her husband, the Dowager has made her home with her son at Eaton Square, and the two have always been great companions.
— "Western Morning News" 15 Apr 1922, page 4:
TRIBUTE FROM SOUTH DEVON FLOCK-BOOK ASSOCIATION.
A vote of condolence with the Countess of St. Germans and family and the Dowager Countess on the death of the late Earl of St. Germans was passed by the council of the South Devon Flock-book Association at Plymouth on Thursday.
The President (Mr. E.H. Hoskin) said his lordship, who was a vice-president of the association, was loved and respected by them. He was a real sportsman, anxious to take his part in the public life of his native county, and in many respects Cornwall was the poorer by his death.
— "Illustrated London News" 15 Apr 1922, page 23:
Another sad recent occurrence is the death of the Earl of St. Germans. He was a tremendous favourite — few young men did so much to keep up the spirits of those about them at the Western Front. He was a gallant soldier, who won an M.C., was mentioned in despatches, and sustained wounds in the head and face. He had a bad accident hunting, breaking his pelvis bone, from which he never wholly recovered, and went to South Africa under doctor's orders. The Countess is the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, and is a fine sportswoman, particularly as rider to hounds. She has two small daughters but no son, and Lord St. Germans' only and elder brother predeceased him. The new Earl is a cousin of the late peer, Mr. Granville John Eliot, elder son of the late Colonel the Hon. Charles G. C. Eliot, C.V.O. His mother was a sister of the first Lord Wimborne. The new Earl is over fifty, and unmarried; his brother, who is an Usher to the King, and Groom of the Robes, married Miss Helen Post, of New York. They have a son, born in 1914. Great sympathy is felt with the widow and also with the mother of the late Earl. The Dowager Countess has seen much trouble, and is a gentle and sweet-natured little lady, who was the daughter of the first and last Lord Taunton, and has for years been given greatly to good works.
— "Western Morning News" 24 Apr 1922, page 3:
ARRANGEMENTS FOR FUNERAL AT ST. GERMANS.
The funeral of the late Earl of St. Germans is expected to take place at St. Germans on Tuesday, May 2, at 11:30a.m. The body is being brought to England in the Edinburgh Castle. The vessel is due at Southampton either next Sunday evening or early on the Monday morning. Subject to the due arrival of the vessel, it is proposed to bring the body to St. Germans on the Monday, and rest it at Port Eliot for the night, the funeral taking place from there on the Tuesday morning.
— "The Times" 05 May 1922:
Funerals. The Earl of St. Germans. The funeral of the Earl of St. Germans who died in South Africa a month ago, took place yesterday at St. Germans, Cornwall. The body had been brought on the previous evening to Port Eliot, the family seat, and was borne to the parish church by tenants and employees of the estate. The mourners were the Countess of St. Germans, the Dowager Countess of St. Germans, the Duchess of Beaufort, Lady Diana Somerset, Mr. Montague C. Eliot, Mr. Edward Eliot, Mr. Christian Eliot, the Hon. Cyril W. Ponsonby, Mr. E.A.V. Stanley, and Julia Countess of Dartrey. Among others present were: – The Marquess of Worcester, Baron de Tuyll, Lady Beatrice Pole Carew, the Earl of Leven and Melville, the Earl of Morley, the Earl and Countess of Mount Edgcumbe, Lady Ernestine Edgcumbe, Countess Fortescue, Lord and Lady Vivian, Lord St. Levan, together with representatives of Cornwall County Coucil, the Dean and Chapter of Truro Cathedral, the various hunt clubs in the county, and many public institutions. The Bishop of Truro conducted the service, assisted by Canon Westmacott. The church was filled by tenants and friends.
A memorial service for the Earl of St. Germans was held yesterday at St. Michael and All Angels, Badminton. The large congregation included:–
The Duke of Beaufort, Mr. and Mrs. William Harford and Miss Harford, Mrs. H. Harford, Colonel Sir Audley and Lady Neeld, Lady Holford, Lord Methuen, Colonel and Hon. A. and Lady Mary Stanley, Captain and Lady Margaret Spicer, Major and Lady Agnes Poynter, Miss Carron, Colonel J.C. Brinton, Colonel E. Brassey, and Mr. and Mrs. Lord.
— The "Western Morning News" published a very detailed report of the funeral, including a beautiful eulogy given at the St. Germans Wesleyan Chapel. Just click on the button above to read the full transcription.
— "Western Morning News" 02 May 1922, page 3:
LORD ST. GERMANS.
BODY BROUGHT TO A VILLAGE IN MOURNING.
The body of the late Earl of St. Germans reached St. Germans last evening by the 6.4 p.m. train. Among those on the platform were Julia Countess of Dartrey, Mr. M.C. Eliot, Revs. S.C. Fleet and H.R. Hindley, Col. W.P. Drury, Dr. G.R. Harman, and Mr. G.H. Brenton, estate agent, who superintended the removal of the body from Southampton.
The coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack, was conveyed on a wheel-bier by relays of tenantry and employees to Port Eliot, where it rested for the night.
The village presented all the outward signs of the deepest mourning, all the blinds being drawn, while many people were wearing black. During the afternoon the bells of the parish church were tolled.
REV. H.R. HINDLEY'S EULOGY.
Preaching at St. Germans Wesleyan Church on Sunday evening, Rev. H.R. Hindley paid an eloquent tribute to the life and work of the late earl.
Mr. Hindley said;— We mourn the loss of a personal friend, who, nobleman though he was, knew us all, old and young, rich and poor, whenever he met us, and who, by his unaffected and unassuming friendliness, elicited our affectionate admiration and respect. It is because our relations with the late Lord St. Germans have been so friendly, so intensely human, in fact, that I have been led to speak on the relations that should obtain between masters and men in every Christian community.
Our experience bears witness to the truth of the claim that co-operation is the best secured by a spirit of obedience and honest toil on the part of the workman, and a sense of justice on the part of the employer. Under such conditions all work is done and all administration carried out in an atmosphere of goodwill, until each act and habit of life becomes inspired by the ennobling thought that we best serve our God by faithfully serving our neighbour, whether of high or low degree, and whatsoever we do we do with our might as unto the Lord.
CO-OPERATION AND CAMARADERIE.
One would need to go far and search carefully to find an estate where a spirit of more willing co-operation and warm-hearted camaraderie obtain between landlord and tenants than on the estate of Port Eliot. That this spirit has prevailed in ever-increasing measure is due to the influence of the late earl, whose genial personality and just dealing inspired the confidence of his tenants and the respect of his employees, and enabled them to work together under him in a spirit of real co-operation. Most men appreciate the confidence of their employers and superiors, and manifest their appreciation by ready, whole-hearted co-operation. The late Earl had a very natural way of taking his tenants into his confidence. Several of them have spoken appreciatively to me of his frankness in business discussion, and his open-handed fairness in transactions of sale and purchase. He likewise took a personal interest in his employees, whom he treated with every consideration as his friends. Following this principle, he would give a lift to a workman he might overtake on the way home, or load his car with beaters at the close of a day's shooting. We instinctively admire these traits of humane consideration and Christian principle in the affairs of practical life, and hold in high regard one who sought quite naturally, and without laying claim to special merit, to conform to the New Testament ethic of industrial co-operation.
The older inhabitants of our village and neighbourhood experience, therefore, in addition to their keen sense of personal sorrow, a feeling of sympathetic grief at the misfortunes of a family whom they have learned to love. Many of you were serving on the estate when it passed into the hands of this branch of the Eliot family, and your personal regret deepens into social sorrow as you realize that by the untimely death of Lord St. Germans a strong link with the past has been severed. The glory has departed from a house which has long been the summit of your social ideals, and has lent true British dignity to the life of our quiet village. Your hearts fill with grim foreboding as you reflect that traditions which you learned from your parents and have taught your children to revere now lie in ruins. You feel that the grave which will be opened on Tuesday to receive the mortal remains of a courteous gentleman, a gallant soldier, and a considerate landlord will be the grave of your family pride and of all your proudest hopes.
DISCHARGING THEIR OBLIGATIONS.
These feelings of desire to recall the past and dread of living in the future, besides being incidental to the mind in later years, are very natural to our old and much-respected inhabitants, especially under circumstances so peculiarly tragic as the present. Many of them have spent the best years of a long, hard life on this estate, faithfully discharging to the very letter their obligations as tenants or employees. They were assured of a comfortable livelihood for the remainder of their days, being satisfied, beyond all possibility of misgiving, that their lamented master and landlord would, with equal honour, discharge his obligation to them and theirs. Here again, many have gratefully spoken of the provision made for them in their closing years, declaring that by the passing of our late Earl they have lost their best friend.
EX-SERVICE MEN'S SYMPATHY.
Tideford branch of the British Legion has passed a vote of condolence with the Countess and Dowager Countess of St. Germans in the loss they have sustained. The late earl was commandant of the branch, and took a keen interest in its activities.
— "Western Morning News" 19 Sep 1923, page 6:
LATE LORD ST. GERMANS
COTTAGE FOR DISTRICT NURSE AS MEMORIAL.
Subscribers to the Earl of St. Germans Memorial Fund, towards which 450 pounds has been given, on Monday, Mr. W. Paige presiding, decided by 24 votes to 20 that the memorial should take the form of a cottage for the district nurse.
As, however 20 voted in favour of the provision of a village green, the matter was submitted to the Dowager Countess of St. Germans for her choice, and her ladyship decided on the provision of a cottage for the district nurse. The other proposals considered were:–
Endowment of a bed in the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, enlargement of Eliot Hall, and the provision of a cottage for a man and wife who were lifelong residents of St. Germans.
— "Western Morning News" 24 Sep 1923, page 3:
MEMORIAL TO LATE EARL.
DEDICATION IN ST. GERMANS CHURCH.
Here he is, where he longed to be;
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.
On a tablet of purest alabaster these words, from one of the most human of our modern poets, and a man who also knew untimely death, are inscribed, the elegy of one of the most loved Westcountry noblemen.
Around it are the regimental badge of the Scots Greys, the escutcheon of the St. Germans family, and of the Duke of Beaufort. The name is in letters of gold. The epitaph tells of the death and memory of John Granville Cornwallis, M.C., captain in the Royal Scots Greys, and sixth Earl of St. Germans.
No need of carved stone to add that the monument was also to one who loved the place in which he lived, and revered the church within the walls of which his memory is recalled. His memorial in that respect might have been read in looking around the little church, and in the sincerity of the little service by which it was consecrated there for all time. St. Germans Church is rich in monuments. Every stone and every window records in art and beauty the life and memory of some member of the historic house which has for so many years found a home in Port Eliot, and one of the most honoured will be the stone which records how St. Germans lost a man and a neighbour, whose best ambition was to live in community and love with his friends.
The church contained a notable congregation yesterday morning, when, at the close of morning service, the Dean of Windsor, the Very Rev. Albert Bailee, dedicated the tablet. Included in the gathering were the Dowager Countess of St. Germans, the Hon. Montague C. Eliot, Lady Mary Ponsonby, Lady Beatrice Pole-Carew and Miss Pole-Carew, Mr. John Pole-Carew, Col. W.P. Drury, Miss E. Eliot, and Mr. Nicholas Eliot. There was no deviation from the order of morning service, which was conducted by the vicar, Rev. C.S. Fleet, M.C., one of whose happiest recollections is that he served in the same division during the war as the late earl.
It was a simple service, and the music was a notable feature, well rendered by the choir, under Mr. W.G. Broad, maintains still the traditions which it won 30 years ago under Mr. R.R. Glendenning. The opening voluntary, 'O rest in the Lord,' was played by the organist, Miss D. Goard, in memory of a parishioner, Mr. Donald Garland, whose interment took place the previous day.
The memorial service began with the singing of the hymn 'How bright these glorious spirits shine.' The clergy then moved to the side chapel, ornate with memorials of the St. Germans family, and the choir keeping their place, sang as antiphon the declaration 'I am the resurrection and the life.' The psalm 'The Lord is my shepherd,' the repetition of the antiphon, and prayers followed. The Dean of Windsor then drew the flag which formed the veil, and dedicated the beautiful monument.
The Dean said in that church, generation after generation, they had consecrated the most intimate and the most solemn interests of their lives. There, generation after generation, had been begun in hope and ended in hope the lives which had been dedicated to the service of God, and one could not but remember that only the previous day one of that parish had been laid to rest. In that church both he and the late earl had been known with the intimacy which came to small communities, whose interests were so closely allied that there was no room for sham and humbug; a community where everybody knew each other, and where they had paid to one another the highest honour that man could pay to man, in that they had loved one another; a community where men had done the greatest service that man could do to his fellows, in that they had won each other's love.
During morning service the lessons were read, according to custom, by the Hon. M. C. Eliot and Col. Drury. The anthem was Stainer's 'What are these which are arrayed in white robes.'
The Dean of Windsor preached at evening service. He also celebrated Holy Communion yesterday morning.
— "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar":
St. Germans (Earl of), the right honourable John Granville Cornwallis of Port Eliot St. Germans Cornwall died 31 March 1922 at the Hospital Johannesburg South Africa. Probate London 7 July to the honourable Cyril Walter Ponsonby and the right honourable Archibald Alexander earl of Leven and Melville. Effects £54,237 3s. 7d.
— "Western Morning News" 12 Jul 1922, page 4:
WILL OF THE EARL OF ST. GERMANS.
BEQUESTS TO SERVANTS AND GODCHILDREN.
Capt. the Right Hon. John Granville Cornwallis, sixth Earl of St. Germans, who died in Johannesburg on March 31 last, aged 31 years, left unsettled property in his own disposition of the gross value of 54,237 pounds 3s. 7d., with net personalty 42,193 pounds 18s. 3d. Probate of his will, dated August 3, 1918, has been granted to the Hon. Cyril Walter Ponsonby, of 4, Basil-mansions, Knightsbridge, S.W., and the Right Hon. Archibald Alexander, Earl of Leven and Melville, of 1, Sussex-square, Hyde Park, W.
The testator left 300 pounds to his butler, Robert Palmby; 200 pounds each to his keeper, John Scantlebury, and his coachman, Walter Prior; 100 pounds, a saddle, a pair of guns, and his gold watch and chain to his godson Nicholas Eliot; 100 pounds to his godson Richard John Crichton; 50 pounds to his goddaughter Pamela Allix; 500 pounds to the Hon. Cyril Ponsonby, as executor; his household and personal effects and live and dead farming stock at Port Eliot to his successor in the estates; and the Polmarkyn Farm, St. Germans, to his mother, the Right Hon. Emily Harriet, Dowager Countess of St. Germans.
All other property in his own disposition he left to his wife, the Right Hon. Blanche Linnie, Countess of St. Germans (daughter of the Duke of Beaufort).
